Georgia Electricity Rates
Georgia’s average residential electricity rate is 13.67¢/kWh—24% below the national average. Electricity is regulated, dominated by Georgia Power, but Georgia’s natural gas market has been deregulated since 1997—residents can shop for gas rates the same way Texans shop for electricity. Plant Vogtle’s new reactors, affordable rates, and a booming EV/film economy make Georgia one of the most interesting energy markets in the Southeast.
Georgia’s Regulated Electricity Market
Georgia operates a fully regulated electricity market overseen by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Your electric utility is determined by your physical address, and you cannot choose a competitive electricity supplier the way consumers in neighboring deregulated states can. Georgia has never pursued electricity deregulation, and the state’s traditional utility model—anchored by the vertically integrated Southern Company—remains firmly in place.
A subsidiary of Southern Company, Georgia Power is the state’s dominant utility, serving Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, and most of the state’s urban and suburban areas. Georgia Power operates Plant Vogtle (the nation’s largest nuclear plant), Plant Scherer (one of the largest coal plants), and a rapidly growing solar portfolio. The company’s 2024 territorial sales totaled 87 billion kWh.
Georgia’s 41 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) serve approximately 4.4 million residents across rural and suburban Georgia. Most EMCs purchase wholesale power from Oglethorpe Power Corporation. Major EMCs include Jackson EMC, Cobb EMC, Sawnee EMC, and Walton EMC. Co-op rates are often comparable to or slightly below Georgia Power’s rates.
Municipal Electric Systems
Georgia has 49 municipal electric systems serving cities like Marietta, Dalton, Crisp County, and LaGrange. These city-owned utilities purchase wholesale power from the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) and typically offer rates competitive with Georgia Power. Municipal utilities are governed by local elected officials rather than the state PSC.
Georgia’s Energy Profile
Georgia’s electricity generation mix has shifted dramatically over the past decade. With the completion of Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4, nuclear has become the state’s single largest source of electricity generation, while coal’s share has declined sharply.
Georgia Power’s carbon-free energy capacity has grown from 20% in 2007 to 36% in 2025, driven primarily by the Vogtle nuclear expansion and aggressive solar buildout. The company is now both a top-five nuclear power producer and a top-ten solar energy generator in the United States. Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan calls for 6,000 MW of new solar, 2,500 MW of battery storage, and continued investment in Vogtle to add 112 MW of additional nuclear capacity.
Plant Vogtle: America’s Nuclear Milestone
Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia is now the largest nuclear power plant in the United States with four operating reactors producing 4.6 GW of carbon-free electricity—enough to power approximately 2 million homes.
Units 3 & 4, completed in 2023 and 2024, were the first new nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in over 30 years. The project’s $35 billion total cost (roughly double the original estimate) and multi-year construction delays made it one of the most closely watched energy projects in American history. The expansion’s costs are being recovered through Georgia Power customer rates over 30+ years, adding approximately $10–15/month to residential bills.
Despite the cost overruns, Vogtle’s four reactors will provide 60+ years of carbon-free baseload generation, positioning Georgia as a leader in the nation’s nuclear energy future and providing a template for potential new reactor projects elsewhere in the U.S.
Georgia’s Deregulated Natural Gas Market
Here’s what surprises most people about Georgia: while electricity is fully regulated, natural gas has been deregulated since 1997. The Georgia Natural Gas Act (HB 897) opened the retail natural gas market to competition, making Georgia one of fewer than 20 states where residents can choose their gas supplier.
The structure mirrors how deregulated electricity works in states like Texas or Ohio. Atlanta Gas Light (AGL)—a Southern Company subsidiary—owns and operates the pipeline infrastructure, handles delivery, and maintains the meters. But the actual gas commodity is purchased from a certified natural gas marketer that you choose. You shop for rates, the marketer bills you, and AGL delivers the gas regardless of which marketer you pick.
Gas South
One of Georgia’s largest marketers, offering fixed-rate and variable plans. Known for its Greener Life carbon offset program. Acquired Infinite Energy in 2019, consolidating two major Georgia marketers.
Georgia Natural Gas (Constellation)
Originally SouthStar Energy, now part of Constellation. Offers fixed-rate, variable, and introductory plans. One of the original marketers from the 1997 deregulation and among the state’s highest-volume providers.
SCANA Energy
Georgia’s regulated provider of last resort—the default marketer assigned to customers who don’t choose one. Now part of Dominion Energy. SCANA’s rates tend to be higher because they serve customers regardless of credit risk.
Other Certified Marketers
The Georgia PSC certifies additional marketers including Xoom Energy, True Natural Gas, Stream Energy, and others. Plans range from month-to-month variable rates to 12–24 month fixed contracts. The PSC publishes a rate comparison tool at psc.ga.gov.
Why Electricity Isn’t Deregulated Too
Georgia’s natural gas deregulation in 1997 was a success—customers gained choice, rates became competitive, and the market stabilized. So why didn’t electricity follow? Two reasons: First, California’s 2001 energy crisis made every state reconsider electricity deregulation. Second, Southern Company’s political influence in Georgia is substantial—Georgia Power is the state’s largest utility, and its parent company is one of the largest donors to Georgia politicians. The vertically integrated model (where Southern Company owns generation, transmission, and distribution) has never been seriously challenged in the legislature.
Georgia Business Electricity Rates
Georgia’s commercial electricity rate of 11.49¢/kWh is among the lowest in the nation, making the state a magnet for energy-intensive industries. Combined with a business-friendly tax environment, strong workforce, and the world’s busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta), Georgia’s affordable energy is a key competitive advantage.
Logistics & Distribution
Atlanta is one of the nation’s largest logistics hubs, home to distribution centers for Home Depot, UPS, Amazon, and Walmart. The Port of Savannah—the fastest-growing container port in the U.S.—drives massive warehouse and cold storage electricity demand across Southeast Georgia.
Film & Entertainment
Georgia is the top film production destination in the world, surpassing Hollywood. Major studios including Trilith Studios (Marvel), Tyler Perry Studios, and EUE Screen Gems operate massive soundstage complexes with significant electricity needs for lighting, HVAC, and production equipment.
Automotive & EV Manufacturing
Georgia’s automotive sector is booming with Hyundai’s $7.6 billion EV plant in Bryan County, Rivian’s planned factory east of Atlanta, and SK Battery’s facilities in Commerce. These massive manufacturing operations require reliable, high-volume electricity supply.
How to Lower Your Georgia Electricity Bill
You can’t switch electricity providers in Georgia, but you can shop for natural gas rates—and there are several ways to cut your electric bill too:
Shop Your Natural Gas Rate
Since Georgia’s gas market is deregulated, comparing marketer rates at psc.ga.gov can save $15–30/month during winter. Look for fixed-rate contracts in late summer when gas prices tend to be lowest. Switching marketers takes a few minutes online and doesn’t interrupt service—Atlanta Gas Light still delivers the gas.
Choose the Right Electric Rate Plan
Georgia Power offers flat-rate, time-of-use (Nights & Weekends), and prepaid (FlatBill) plans. The Nights & Weekends plan offers lower rates from 7 PM–7 AM and on weekends. Comparing plans on Georgia Power’s website can save $10–30/month depending on your usage patterns.
Go Solar & Claim Rebates
Georgia ranks top 10 nationally for solar installations. The 30% federal ITC and Georgia Power’s solar buyback programs make rooftop solar increasingly attractive (8–10 year payback). Georgia Power also offers rebates on smart thermostats, HVAC upgrades, and insulation through its Home Energy Improvement Program.
States Where You Can Choose Your Electricity Provider
Georgia’s natural gas deregulation proves the model works—but electricity choice hasn’t followed. If you want to shop for competitive electricity rates the same way you shop for gas, these deregulated states offer full retail choice:
Texas · Pennsylvania · Ohio · Illinois · New York · New Jersey · Connecticut · Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Electricity
What is the average electricity rate in Georgia?
Georgia’s average residential electricity rate is 13.67¢/kWh as of March 2026—approximately 24% below the national average of 18.05¢/kWh. Commercial rates average 11.49¢/kWh. Georgia consistently ranks among the most affordable states for electricity.
Is Georgia a deregulated energy state?
Georgia has a split market. Electricity is fully regulated—your utility is determined by your address and you cannot choose your electric provider. However, Georgia’s natural gas market has been deregulated since 1997 under the Georgia Natural Gas Act. Residents can choose from certified gas marketers (Gas South, Georgia Natural Gas/Constellation, SCANA Energy/Dominion, and others) while Atlanta Gas Light handles physical delivery. For electricity choice, you’d need to be in a deregulated state like Texas, Ohio, or Pennsylvania.
Who is Georgia Power?
Georgia Power is a subsidiary of Southern Company and the dominant electric utility in Georgia. It serves 2.8 million customers across 155 of the state’s 159 counties, with 2024 territorial sales of 87 billion kWh. Georgia Power operates Plant Vogtle (the nation’s largest nuclear plant), a growing solar fleet, and is one of the largest utilities in the Southeast.
What is Plant Vogtle?
Plant Vogtle is the largest nuclear power plant in the United States, located in Waynesboro, Georgia. With four reactors producing 4.6 GW of carbon-free electricity, it powers approximately 2 million homes. Units 3 & 4, completed in 2023–2024, were the first new nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in over 30 years. The $35 billion project’s costs are being recovered through customer rates.
Why are Georgia electricity rates so affordable?
Georgia benefits from a diverse energy mix including nuclear, affordable natural gas, growing solar capacity, and hydroelectric generation. Southern Company’s large operational scale, Georgia’s lower cost of living, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and efficient utility operations all help keep rates well below the national average.
What are EMCs in Georgia?
Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) are nonprofit electric cooperatives that serve rural and suburban Georgia. The state’s 41 EMCs serve approximately 4.4 million residents, purchasing wholesale power primarily from Oglethorpe Power Corporation. Major EMCs include Jackson EMC, Cobb EMC, Sawnee EMC, and Walton EMC. EMC rates are often comparable to or slightly below Georgia Power’s rates.
What is the average monthly electric bill in Georgia?
The average Georgia household pays approximately $140–$150/month for electricity. While per-kWh rates are 24% below the national average, Georgia’s hot and humid summers drive higher-than-average cooling costs. However, Georgia’s moderate winters keep overall annual consumption lower than neighboring states like Alabama and Mississippi.
How do I report a power outage in Georgia?
Georgia Power: 888-891-0938 or georgiapower.com. For EMC customers, contact your specific cooperative—most offer 24/7 outage reporting through their website, app, or phone line. Georgia Power’s outage map provides real-time restoration estimates across the state.
About this Data
Rate data is sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation association, and the ElectricChoice.com electric rate marketplace. Last data refresh: March 2026.
